asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state (1) the present stocks of potatoes available for human consumption, and (2) the stocks available at the corresponding period in each of the last two years; whether he will state the price per stone at which potatoes were sold retail at February 1st, 1937, 1938 and 1939, in, say, ten representative towns; and, whether, in view of the scarcity of potatoes in other countries, he will take steps to ensure an adequate supply for the home market at a reasonable price.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Stocks and Price of Potatoes.
No data are available to enable any reliable comparison to be made between the stocks of potatoes on hands at the present time and at the corresponding dates in previous years. Owing to the injury done by frost the extent of which has not yet been determined, it is probable that potato stocks are somewhat lower than in the last two years. While the effects of frost have been fairly severe in a few districts both in the direction of its action on stored potatoes and in hampering marketing, there does not appear, so far as the country as a whole is concerned, to be any justification for alarm. It is anticipated that with improved weather conditions there will be more plentiful supplies on offer.
I am not in a position to give the retail prices asked for, but the following are the market prices per cwt. on the 1st February each year at ten different centres for the three years in question:—
|
1937 |
1938 |
1939 |
||||
|
s. |
d. |
s. |
d. |
s. |
d. |
|
|
Athy |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
|
Dundalk |
3 |
9 |
2 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
|
Kilkenny |
4 |
6 |
5 |
0 |
5 |
8 |
|
Wexford |
4 |
0 |
3 |
8 |
4 |
0 |
|
Cork |
3 |
11 |
3 |
4 |
6 |
6 |
|
Ballina |
4 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
4 |
9 |
3 |
9 |
6 |
3 |
|
Cavan |
4 |
0 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
|
Monaghan |
3 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
8 |
|
Dublin |
4 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
6 |